Cong mocks at competition within BJP, Modi’s fast stunt

Suggesting that a power struggle was going on within the BJP ahead of the 2014 general elections, the Congress on Wednesday ridiculed BJP veteran LK Advani's yatra against corruption and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi fast for peace and harmony.

Party spokesman Manish Tewari did not any names but referred both as “gentlemen”.

“A strange competition seemed to have enveloped the main opposition party. An elderly gentleman is planning to go on a yatra and another gentleman is planning to go on a fast… Both are attempted political positioning which is intrinsic to BJP,” he said.

“Is it not a fact that the state did not lift a single finger to protect the innocents? Is it not a fact that the victims of that massacre are still running from pillar to post for justice?”

“The last time this elderly gentleman decided to undertake a yatra, it assaulted the secular foundations of India and we still continue to pay the price for the same after so many years. And there is another gentleman who is planning a 'sadbhavna' fast. Would he care to enlighten the people that is it not a fact that thousands of innocent people died on his watch?” Tewari asked.

“In all this grandstanding, the real issues of equity, development and inclusion somewhere get lost. It is apparent that lessons of 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha polls are completely lost on the BJP,” Tewari said.